March 19, 2022 ~ Conductor Michail Jurowski, full name Michail Vladimirovich Jurowski, passed away ~ Internationally acclaimed conductor best known for his association with several leading German orchestras from the late 1970s forward including the Komische Oper Berlin, the Staatsoper Dresden, the Nordwestdeutsche Philharmonie, the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, and others. Regarded an authority on the works of Dmitri Shostakovich ~ Jurowski was born in 1945
March 19, 2021 ~ Christian Alejandro Cuturrufo Contador, commonly known as jazz trumpeter Cristián Cuturrufo, passed away in Santiago, Chile ~ Classically trained. Recognised as one of Chile's premier jazz trumpeters. Influenced by Kool & the Gang, Cole Porter, Arturo Sandoval, Fats Navarro, Dizzy Gillespie. Especcially renowned for albums such as 2004's Jazz De Salon working with pianist Valentín Trujillo, 2006's funk-infused Cristián Cuturuffo & The Latin Jazz and 2007's Chilean swing landmark Swing Nacional ~ Cuturrufo was born in 1972
March 19, 2021 ~ Punk rock, garage rock, rock & roll singer, guitarist, bassist, pianist, drummer Dan Sartain, full name Daniel Fredrick Sartain, passed away in Birmingham, Alabama, USA ~ Active since the early 2000s. Self-released a number of recordings prior to his Dan Sartain Vs The Serpientes major label debut album in 2005. Has opened for the White Stripes and the Hives ~ Sartain was born in 1981
March 19, 2016 ~ Pop, rock singer, keyboardist, songwriter Dave Adams, full name David Malcolm Adams, passed away in Buffalo, New York, USA ~ Closely associated with producer Joe Meek. Member of Heinz's backing unit alongside a then-unknown Ritchie Blackmore. Also half of the duo Joy & Dave, member of country-rock outfit Dee & the Housecats, member of jazz band the Funny Valentines ~ Adams was born in 1938
March 19, 2013 ~ R&B, doo-wop singer Floyd McRae passed away in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ Last surviving member of the Chords. The band is known for their sole hit Sh-boom, subtitled Life Is But A Dream. Initially their label was reluctant to have them record the self-penned song, but they allowed them to use it for the B-side of their Patti Page cover Cross Over The Bridge debut single. However, Sh-boom became the bigger hit, and reached top 10 on the American pop charts in 1954, then an unusual feat for a R&B song. Over time Sh-boom has become acknowledged as one of the all-time finest doo-wop songs, fondly remembered to this day. The group released several more sides, but were unable to repeat their earlier success ~ McRae was born ca.1927
March 19, 2010 ~ Pop, dance-pop singer Justin Bieber releases his My World 2.0 debut album ~ Considered the continuation of his My World debut EP, released the previous year. For his full-length debut album, Bieber teamed up with renowned producers such as Tricky Stewart, The-Dream, and Midi Mafia. My World 2.0 was warmly received by critics, and was a commercial hit with three of the album's four singles reaching top 20 Billboard Hot 100, starting with the No.5 hit Baby featuring Ludacris. The album itself debuted atop the Billboard Hot 200 album chart, making the 16-year old Bieber the youngest person to achieve this feat. The album would also earn Bieber two Grammy Awards nominations, one for Best New Artist, and one for Best Vocal Pop Album
March 19, 2007 ~ R&B, soul singer Luther Ingram, full name Luther Thomas Ingram, passed away in Belleville, Illinois, USA ~ Co-penned Respect Yourself, an early 1970s Billboard Hot 100 top 20, Billboard R&B top 10 hit, and signature song for the Staple Singers. As a singer, Ingram recorded about half a dozen albums through the mid-1980s. Well known songs include My Honey And Me, Ain't That Loving You (For More Reasons Than One), You Were Made For Me, I'll Be Your Shelter (In Time Of Storm), Always, and Do You Love Somebody, all of which reached top 20 Billboard R&B. Ingram's biggest hit, If Loving You Is Wrong I Don't Want To Be Right released in 1972, would also cross over to the all-genre Billboard Hot 100, where it reached top 10 ~ Ingram was born in 1937
March 19, 2002 ~ John Patton, commonly known as jazz, blues, R&B pianist Big John Patton passed away in Montclair, New Jersey, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Regarded by some as an important figure inspiring the boom of 1960s soul jazz. Reeemerged in the 1980s and 1990s as a key player and influence on many acid jazz players. Has worked with Lloyd Price, Grant Green, Lou Donaldson, Art Blakey, Fred Jackson, Red Holloway, Clifford Jordan, Johnny Lytle, Jimmy Ponder, Harold Vick, Don Wilkerson, and John Zorn ~ Patton was born in 1935
March 19, 1993 ~ Jean Karen Cariker, commonly known as folk blues singer, guitarist, banjoist Karen Dalton, passed away in Hurley, New York, USA ~ Early Greenwich Village folk scene figure. Cited as an influence by Nick Cave, Devendra Banhart, Joanna Newsom. Resenting the music industry she only recorded two albums, 1969's It's So Hard To Tell Who's Going To Love You The Best and 1971's In My Own Time. Country singer Lacy J Dalton chose her stage name in honor of Dalton ~ Dalton was born in 1937
March 19, 1990 ~ Alternative rock, grunge, glam punk singer, keyboardist, bassist, guitarist, songwriter Andrew Wood, full name Andrew Patrick Wood, passed away in Seattle, Washington, USA ~ Known for his work with two bands pivotal to the birth of grunge music, founding Malfunkshun in 1980 and Mother Love Bone in 1988. Wood would die of a heroin overdose just weeks before the release of the latter's debut album, Apple ~ Wood was born in 1966
March 19, 1989 ~ Hornist Alan Civil passed away in Lambeth, UK ~ Closely associated with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Known especially for his recording of Benjamin Britten's Serenade For Tenor Horn And Strings. To pop audiences known for guesting on the Beatles-tracks For No One of the 1966 Revolver album, and A Day In The Life of the Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album the following year ~ Civil was born in 1929
March 19, 1988 ~ Singer Michael Jackson begins construction on his 2,800-acre Neverland Ranch and private amusement park near Santa Barbara, California ~ Jackson first visited the estate, located in Los Olivos on the edge of Los Padres National Forest, in 1983 when he visited Paul McCartney, who was staying there during the filming of the Say Say Say video. According to Jackson's sister La Toya Jackson, he expressed interest in someday owning the property. In 1988, Jackson did purchase the estate to make it his home as well as his private amusement park which included three railroads, a Ferris wheel, roller coaster, amusement arcade, and petting zoo. Jackson renamed it to Neverland Ranch after the island from the Peter Pan children's book, a place where children never grow up. Neverland served as Jackson's primary residence from 1988 through 2005
March 19, 1988 ~ Grunge, alternative rock outfit Nirvana play the Community World Theater, Tacoma, Washington ~ Having previously gone by the monikers Skid Row, Ted Ed Fred, Pen Chew, and Bliss, the band play their first ever gig billed as Nirvana, performing a set list of about an hour. The band would go on to become a defining force of the burgeoning Seattle music scene, help define the grunge genre, and achieve global success with their 1991 Nevermind landmark album, fueled by its unexpected mainstream success of its lead single Smells Like Teen Spirit, with the band's frontman Kurt Cobain becoming a cultural icon
March 19, 1987 ~ Thana Alexa Pavelic, commonly known as jazz, jazz fusion, ethno soul singer, arranger, songwriter Thana Alexa, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Leader and sidewoman. Debuted as a leader with the Ode To Heroes in 2015. Has worked with Gene Ess, Matija Dedic, Chase Baird, Christos Rafalides, and with her husband Antonio Sánchez
March 19, 1984 ~ Backstage after the Duran Duran show at Madison Square Garden, New York, producer Nile Rodgers introduces the band to Madonna, a young singer he had recently teamed up with ~ Madonna had released her eponymous Madonna debut album the previous year, which reached top 10 Billboard Hot 200. However, she was not yet the superstar she would become. It was her sophomore album, Like A Virgin co-produced by Nile Rodgers, released later the same year that catapulted her to superstar status. The album would hit No.1 in several countries, including the UK, the Netherlands, and her native America, its lead single and title track becoming her first Billboard Hot 100 charttopper
March 19, 1982 ~ Heavy metal guitarist Randy Rhoads passed away in Leesburg, Florida, USA ~ Classically trained. Influential heavy metal guitarist, helpful in establishing neoclassical metal as a genre. Member of Quiet Riot. Closely associated with Ozzy Osbourne, present on the Blizzard Of Ozz album and especially noted for the riffs on Crazy Train and Mr Crowley ~ Rhoads was born in 1956
March 19, 1981 ~ Hudson Woodbridge, commonly known as Chicago blues guitarist, pianist, singer, songwriter Tampa Red, passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Known for his single-string slide style. Influenced Big Bill Broonzy, Robert Nighthawk, Muddy Waters, Elmore James, Mose Allison. Best known for recordings such as Anna Lou Blues, Black Angel Blues, Crying Won't Help You, It Hurts Me Too and Love Her With A Feeling ~ Woodbridge was born in 1904
March 19, 1978 ~ Lenka Kripac, mononymously known as indie pop singer, actress Lenka, born in Bega, Australia ~ Daughter of jazz trumpeter Jiri Kripac. Recorded over half a dozen albums, starting with the eponymous Lenka album in 2008. Her debut album included her best known song, The Show which would later be used in numerous advertisements and in the 2011 film Moneyball
March 19, 1977 ~ Jazz, dixieland pianist Armand Hug passed away in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Played professionaly from age 13 onwards, mostly as a solo pianist in local clubs. Did not record until the early 1950s, debuting with the eponymous Armand Hug album in 1951. Has also worked with Harry Shields, the New Orleans Owls, Sharkey Bonano ~ Hug was born in 1910
March 19, 1976 ~ Pop rock outfit the Doobie Brothers release Takin' It To The Streets, their first album to feature Michael McDonald ~ Previously the band was fronted by Tom Johnston, but he was forced to reduce his role in the band as he was diagnosed with stomach ulcers. The band had considered calling it quits altogether but at the suggestion of band member Jeff Baxter they contacted Michael McDonald, Baxter's old bandmate from Steely Dan. It would work out well. McDonald had initially been approached to play keyboards, but as he belted out his self-penned Takin' It To The Street during rehearsals, they decided to make him the lead singer and use the song as the album's title track. McDonald would go on to record several more albums with the band, and sang lead on some of their best known including Minute By Minute and their biggest hit, the Billboard Hot 100 charttopper and Grammy Award-winning What A Fool Believes
March 19, 1976 ~ Rock, hard rock, blues rock guitarist Paul Kossoff, full name Paul Francius Kosoff, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Co-founding member of Free, considered by some pioneers of hard rock, for whom he wrote or co-wrote several songs including Oh I Wept and Mr Big. Released his solo album, Back Street Crawler in 1973. Has also worked with John Martyn, Jim Capaldi, Martha Veléz, Amazing Blondel, Uncle Dog, Michael Gately, and Mike Vernon ~ Kossoff was born in 1950
March 19, 1974 ~ Rock band Aerosmith release their Same Old Song And Dance single ~ Released as the lead single off the band's Get Your Wings sophomore album. Over the years, the song became a fan favorite and a staple of rock radio. Producer Jack Douglas would later recall: “On Same Old Song And Dance, I told them that we whould bring in some horns to bring out their rhythm and blues side. They definitely had that kind of style and sound already. We got the Brecker Brothers to play on that. The sax solo is Michael Brecker.”
March 19, 1974 ~ Renaming themselves to Jefferson Starship, the Jefferson Airplane re-form with most of their original members and kick off their tour at the Auditorium Theatre, Chicago, Illinois ~ The band had previously been known for a number of mid to late 1960s albums, specifically the acclaimed Surrealistic Pillow and Volunteers released respectively in 1967 and 1969, both considered pivotal to the boom of psychedelic rock and California's counterculture. Renaming themselves in 1974, venturing into more mainstream pop rock they would release eight gold or platinum selling albums over the next decade. In 1984 they renamed themselves again, dropping the “Jefferson” altogether, and went on to score their biggest hits, We Built This City and Sara, both of which reached No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts
March 19, 1973 ~ Drummer Brant Bjork born in Palm Springs, California, USA ~ Important figure in stoner rock. Best known as co-founding member, drummer of stoner rock band Kyuss, remaining with the band through 1994. Present on the band's first three albums, Wretch, Blues For The Red Sun, and Welcome To The Sky. Bjork has also worked with Fu Manchu, Mondo Generator, Vista Chino, and the stoner rock power trio Stöner. Has also recorded over a dozen solo albums, starting with Jalamanta released in 1999
March 19, 1973 ~ Bernard James Freeman, commonly known as rapper Bun B, born in Port Arthur, Texas, USA ~ Formed the hip-hop duo UGK with Pimp C, known best as collaborators on Jay-Z's 2000 Billboard top 20 hit Big Pimpin'. The duo has also worked with Three 6 Mafia, TI, Master P, Too $hort, OutKast, Ludacris, E-40, Dizzee Rascal, Big Boi, A$AP Rocky, and others
March 19, 1970 ~ Singer David Bowie marries Mary Angela Barnett, his first wife, at Bromley Register Office, Bromley, UK ~ The couple would have an open marriage, with Bowie having relationships with model Cyrinda Foxe and backing singer Ava Cherry, while Barnett had encounters with the Stooges-members Ron Asheton and James Williamson. The couple would have one child, Duncan Bowie, born in 1971, with Bowie granted full custody after the marriage ended in 1980. Barnett would later describe their marriage as one of convenience: “We got married so that I could (get a permit to) work. I didn't think it would last and David said, before we got married, ‘I'm not really in love wih you’ and I thought that's probably a good thing”
March 19, 1965 ~ James Gordon Shapiro, commonly known as rock, alternative rock guitarist, drummer, bassist, singer Jim Shapiro, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Brother of singer, guitarist Nina Gordon. Original drummer of Veruca Salt, present on the band's first two albums, 1994's American Thighs and 1997's Eight Arms To Hold You, and rejoining in 2013. Founded and fronted Ultraswiss. Also worked with the Hushdrops
March 19, 1964 ~ Singer, guitarist Olli Lindholm born in Pori, Finland ~ Lead singer, co-founding and sole constant member of Yö, with whom he recorded about two dozen albums starting in the early 1980s. The band is known for songs such as Joutsenlaulu, Likaiset Legendat, Ihmisen Poika, Rakkaus O Lumivalkoinen, Sarkynyt Enkeli, and Tia Maria. Lindolm has also recorded a number of albums as a solo artist, starting with Voima, released in 2000 ~ Lindholm passed away in 2019
March 19, 1959 ~ Keyboardist, percussionist, conductor Anthony Marinelli born in Burbank, California, USA ~ Has worked on over an estimated 100 soundtracks for film and TV, notably the 1993 My Forgotten Man feature film. In-demand session musician, present on albums by Michael Jackson (Thriller), Lionel Richie, Supertramp (Brother Where You Bound), Kenny Loggins, Giorgio Moroder, and Dianne Reeves
March 19, 1959 ~ New wave, ska, pop rock singer, songwriter Terry Hall, full name Terrence Edward Hall, born in Coventry, UK ~ Lead singer of the Coventry Automatics, renamed to the Specials in 1979. The band is known for songs such as Message To You Rudy, Too Much Too Young, Do Nothing, Stereotype, Rat Race, and their best known the UK No.1 hit Ghost Town. Subsequently formed the Fun Boy Three with bandmates Lynval Golding and Neville Staple, the trio known for The Lunatics Have Taken Over The Asylum and the Bananarama collaboration It Ain't What You Do (It's The The Way That You Do It). Hall has also worked with Colourfield, Terry Blair & Anouchka, formed the duo Vegas with Dave Stewart, and recorded as a solo artist ~ Hall passed away in 2022
March 19, 1959 ~ Roots reggae singer Wayne Wade born in Kingston, Jamaica ~ Known for a number of mid-1970s hits, mostly working with producer Yabby You. Released his Black Is Our Colour in 1976. Well known songs inlude Happy Go Lucky Girl, On The Beach, After You and Natty Contractor. Has also worked with Dillinger, Joe Gibbs, Linval Thompson, and others
March 19, 1957 ~ Classical, jazz, new age pianist, flutist Øystein Sevåg born in Bærum, Norway ~ Released his Close Your Eyes And See debut album in 1989 and has recorded steadily since drawing from classical, jazz, new age and electronica. Has worked with Lakki Patey, the London Philharmonia Orchestra, Benedicte Torget, Peter Wettre, Bendik Hofseth, Paolo Vinaccia, Audun Erlien, Eivind Sarset, and others
March 19, 1955 ~ Drummer, percussionist Derek Longmuir born in Edinburgh, UK ~ Founding member of the Bay City Rollers, which also included his brother bassist Alan Longmuir, known for 1970s UK top 10 hits such Keep On Dancing, Remember (Sha-la-la}, Shang-a-lang, Summerlove Sensation, All Of Me Loves All Of You, Bye Bye Baby, Give A Little Love, Love Me Like I Love You, Money Honey and I Only Want To Be With You
March 19, 1955 ~ Giuseppe Daniele, commonly known as guitarist, singer, songwriter Pino Daniele, born in Naples, Italy ~ Once dubbed his music “tarumbo” indicating a mix of tarantello, blues and rumba. Prolific guitarist known for his wide influences and social commentary. Best known for his debut, 1977 Terra Mia and his 1980 album Nero A Metà, the latter being noted by critics as the rebirth of Neapolitan song. Opened for Bob Marley. Befriended Eric Clapton. Had his songs covered by artists as diverse as Sarah Jane Morris, Randy Crawford (It's Raining (Quanno Chiove)), Patricia Marx, Marisa Monte, and Issac Delgado. Collaborated with James Senese, Enzo Avitabile, Tullio de Piscope, Tony Esposito, Alphonso Johnson, Wayne Shorter, Richie Havens, Pat Metheny, Joe Bonamassa, and others ~ Daniele passed away in 2015
March 19, 1954 ~ Guitarist Jamie West-Oram born in Barnsley, UK ~ Member of the Fixx, joining the band in 1980 as replacement for Tony McGrail. The band is known for songs such as Stand Or Fall, Saved By Zero, One Thing Leads To Another, Are We Ourselves, Secret Separation, and Driven Out. Alongside bandmate Cy Curnin West-Oram also notably guested on Tina Turner's 1984 Private Dancer comeback album, featured on the tracks I Might Have Been Queen and Better Be Good To Me
March 19, 1954 ~ Conductor, music director Robert Hart Baker born ~ Renowned conductor. Has worked with the Saint Louis Philharmonic, the Asheville Lyric Opera, the York Symphony Orchestra, the Connecticut Philharmonic Orchestra, the New York Youth Symphony, the Harrisburg Choral Society, the Zurich Symphony Orchestra, the Regina Symphony Orchestra, and others
March 19, 1953 ~ Bassist Billy Sheehan born in Buffalo, New York, USA ~ First gained attention as a member of Talas, earning local popularity in Buffalo spreading into northeast US and Canada, for whom he also wrote Shy Boy and Addicted To That Rush. Sheehan would later re-record the former with David Lee Roth, the latter with Mr Big. Has also worked with Niacin, Greg Howe, Richie Kotzen, Winery Dogs, Michael Kocáb, Sons Of Apollo, and record as a solo artist
March 19, 1953 ~ Actress, singer Irène Bordoni passed away in Manhattan, New York, USA ~ Child actress in silent films. Would go on to a lengthy career on stage and screen, including several Broadway musicals notably The French Doll1 in 1922 introducing the George Gershwin-penned Do It Again and Paris in 1928 which spawned the hit Let\s Do It (Let's Fall In Love), the first big succes for songwriter Cole Porter ~ Bordoni was born in 1885
March 19, 1953 ~ Jazz pianist Michele Rosewoman born in Oakland, California, USA ~ Leader and sidewoman. Worked with Quintessence, Baikida Carroll, Julius Hemphill, Julian Priester, Oliver Lake, Billy Bang, Freddie Waits, Rufus Reid, Billy Hart, Reggie Workman, Celia Cruz, Chocolate Armenteros, Paquito d'Rivera, Greg Osby, Andy Laster, and others
March 19, 1953 ~ New wave, post-punk guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, singer Ricky Wilson born in Athens, Georgia, USA ~ Founded the B52's with Kate Pierson, Keith Strickland, Fred Schneider and his sister Cindy Wilson. Died aged 32 of AIDS-related complications. Present on the band's first four albums, including on songs such as Rock Lobster, Planet Claire, Private Idaho, Whammy Kiss and Summer Of Love ~ Wilson passed away in 1985
March 19, 1952 ~ Rock guitarist, bassist Albritton McClain born ~ Best known as a member of power pop unit Donnie Iris & the Cruisers. Present on all of the band's 1980s albums including the acclaimed King Cool, considered a commercial and critical peak for Iris, spawning the modest hits Love Is Like A Rock and My Girl
March 19, 1952 ~ Violinist Jorja Fleezanis, full name Jorja Kay Fleezanis, born ~ Best known as concertmaster of the Minnesota Orchestra from 1989 through 2009. At the time of her appointment only the second female in the USA to hold such a title. Premiered John Adams' Violin Concerto in 1994, with then-music director Edo de Waart leading the orchestra. Married to classical music critic and author Michael Steinberg ~ Fleezanis passed away in 2022
March 19, 1950 ~ Trombonist Curtis Fowlkes born in New York, New York, USA ~ Co-founded the Jazz Passengers with saxophonist Roy Nathanson, with whom he recorded over half a dozen albums starting with Implement Yourself released in 1990. Member of the Lounge Lizards. Has also worked with Charlie Haden, Don Byron, Bill Frisell, Glen Hansard, Charlie Hunter, Marc Ribot, Horace Andy, Sheryl Crow, Elvis Costello, Levon Helm, Freedy Johnston, Bobby Previte, Lou Reed, John Zorn, and others
March 19, 1946 ~ Guitarist, producer Paul Atkinson, full name Paul Ashley Warren Atkinson, born in Cuffley, UK ~ Co-founding member of pop rock band the Zombies, known for the late 1960s hits She's Not There, Tell Her No and Time Of The Season. Following the band's disbandement, Atkinson would go to become an A&R executive and producer working with artists such as Elton John, ABBA, Bruce Hornsby, Mr Mister, and Judas Priest ~ Atkinson passed away in 2004
March 19, 1946 ~ R&B, soul, funk singer Ruth Pointer, full name Ruth Esther Pointer, born in Oakland, California, USA ~ Member of siblin outfit the Pointer Sisters, known for songs such as Yes We Can Can, Fairytale, How Long (Betcha Got A Chick On The Side), Fire, He's So Shy, Slow Hand, Automatic, Jump (For My Love), I'm So Excited, Automatic and Neutron Dance
March 19, 1945 ~ Jazz pianist, arranger Clyde Hart passed away ~ Leader and sideman. Important figure in the transition from swing to bebop. Worked with Gene Coy, Jap Allen, Blanche Calloway, Lionel Hampton, Chu Berry, John Kirby, Roy Eldridge, Hot Lips Page, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Don Byas, Ben Webster, and other ~ Hart was born ca.1910
March 19, 1944 ~ Keyboardist Tom Constanten born in Long Branch, New Jersey, USA ~ Best known for his stint with the Grateful Dead from 1968 through 1970, appearing on the albums Anthem Of The Sun, Aoxomoxoa, and Live/Dead. Member of Dose Hermanos. Over the years has recorded over half a dozen albums as a solo artist, notably 2002's 88 Keys To Tomorrow, and collaborated with the likes of the Incredible String Band, Henry Kaiser, Robin Petrie, Jorma Kaukonen, the Zen Tricksters, and others
March 19, 1942 ~ Folk, country, outlaw country singer, guitarist, songwriter Richard Dobson, full name Richard James Joseph Dobson II, born in Tyler, Texas, USA ~ One of the most literate country songwriters to come out of Texas, akin to Townes Van Zandt and Guy Clark. Called “the Ernest Hemingway of Country music” by Nanci Griffith who covered his The Ballad Of Robin Wintersmith. About two dozen albums to his name, starting with In Texas Last December released in 1977. Perhaps best known for penning Baby Ride Easy, recorded by Dobson in 1977 and covered by several artists, including as a duet by Del Reeves & Billie Jo Spears, by Carlene Carter & Dave Edmunds, and by Johnny Cash & June Carter ~ Dobson passed away in 2017
March 19, 1940 ~ Jazz, dixieland trumpeter Keith Smith, full name Keith John Smith, born in Isleworth, UK ~ Leader and sideman. Active since the mid-1950s, mostly in traditional jazz and dixieland revival bands. As a leader perhaps best known for founding and leading Hefty Jazz for over a decade starting in 1975, which at times included George Chisholm, Mick Pyne, Peanuts Hucko, Nat Pierce, Johnny Mince, Barrett Deems. Has also worked with Norrie Cox, the New Teao Brass Band, Pops Foster, Jimmy Archey, Alvin Alcorn, and others ~ Smith passed away in 2008
March 19, 1940 ~ Pop singer, actor Michael Cox, full name Michael James Cox, born in Liverpool, UK ~ As a singer best known for his Joe Meek-produced single Angela Jones, a 1960 UK top 10 hit. Would later venture into acting, eventually settling down in New Zealand using both his full name and the alias Michael James
March 19, 1939 ~ Jazz pianist Mike Longo, full name Michael Josef Longo, born in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Best known for his work with Dizzy Gillespie. Also worked with Cannonball Adderley, Paul Chambers, Adam Rafferty, Ben Brown, Ray Mosca, Lee Konitz, and others
March 19, 1937 ~ Clarence Henry II, commonly known as R&B singer Clarence Frogman Henry born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Started learning piano as a child, with Fats Domino and Professor Longhair as main influences. Known for his trademark croak, earning him the nickname “frogman”. Scored several late 1950s, early 1960s R&B hits, notably Ain't Got No Home, You Always Hurt The One You Love and perhaps his best-known (I Don't Know Why I Love You) But I Do, the latter reaching top 10 on both the Billboard R&B and all-genre Billboard Hot 100 charts ~ Henry passed away in 2024
March 19, 1928 ~ Clarence Otto Pauling, commonly known as singer, songwriter, producer Clarence Paul, born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA ~ Co-founding member of doo-wop outfit the 5 Royales. Best known as a songwriter and producer, closely associated with Motown. Served as mentor and main producer to Stevie Wonder during Wonder's teenage years. Writing credits include Hitch Hike (Marvin Gaye), Fingertips (Wonder), You've Been In Love Too Long (Martha & the Vandellas), Danger Heartbreak Dead Ahead (the Marvelettes), Just A Little Understanding (the Contours), and Until You Come Back To Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do (Wonder, Aretha Franklin) ~ Pauling passed away in 1995
March 19, 1928 ~ Rachel Eleanora Goldberg, commonly known as vaudeville singer, comedian, actress Nora Bayes, passed away in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Popular vaudeville performer, singer form the 1900s through the 1920s. Perhaps best remembered for introducing Shine On Harvest Moon in the 1908 Ziegfeld Follies revue. The song, written by Bayes and her husband Jack Norworth, has since become a pop standard recorded by numerous artists including the Boswell Sisters, the Chordettes, Coleman Hawkins, Teresa Brewer, Bing Crosby, the Isley Brothers, Leon Redbone, Bobby Bare, and others ~ Goldberg was born in 1880
March 19, 1928 ~ Folk revival guitarist, banjoist, fiddler Tom Paley, full name Allan Thomas Paley, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Influential on Bob Dylan and the Grateful Dead. Best known for his work with the New Lost City Ramblers during the 1950s and 1960s. Following his departure from the band in the early 1960s founded the Old Reliable String Band with Roy Berkeley and Artie Rose before relocating to Europe ~ Paley passed away in 2017
March 19, 1926 ~ William Randall Henderson, commonly known as jazz singer, actor Bill Henderson, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Worked with Ramsey Lewis, Horace Silver, Oscar Peterson, Jimmy Smith, Count Basie, Yusef Lateef, Eddie Harris, Booker Little, Wynton Kelly, Eddie Higgins, Tommy Flanagan, Joe Diorio, Ray Brown, Ed Thigpen, Joyce Collins, Jerry Coleman, Pete Christlieb, Joey Baron, Shirley Horn, Nancy Wilson, Charlie Haden, Mike Melvoin, Chico Hamilton, Dave Mackay, and Tom Azarello ~ Henderson passed away in 2016
March 19, 1925 ~ Bandleader Ben Bernie and the Hotel Roosevelt Orchestra record Sweet Georgia Brown ~ Bernie recorded the first version of Sweet Georgia Brown, written by Bernie, Maceo Pinkard and Kenneth Casey. It would spent several weeks atop the charts and become a jazz standard covered by numerous artists, notably Bing Crosby in 1932, Charlie Parker with Dizzy Gillespie in 1943, and as an instrumental by Brother Bones in 1949. The latter would be adopted by the Harlem Globetrotters basketball team as their theme song. Other artists who recorded the song would include Anita O'Day, Tony Sheridan backed by the Beatles in 1964, Nancy Sinatra, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Roberta Flack
March 19, 1921 ~ Jazz bassist Harry Babasin, full name Yervant Harry Babasin Jr, born in Dallas, Texas, USA ~ Leader and sideman, nicknamed “the Bear”. Worked with Herb Ellis, Charlie Fisk, Jimmy Joy, Bob Strong, Billie Rogers, Gene Krupa, Charlie Barnet, Boyd Raeburn, Benny Goodman, Woody Herman, Frank Devol, Jerry Gray, Roy Harte, Bud Shank, Dodo Marmarosa, Oscar Pettiford, John Banister, and others ~ Babasin passed away in 1988
March 19, 1921 ~ Irene Amburgey, commonly known as country, gospel singer, guitarist, songwriter Martha Carson, born ~ At times referred to as “the Rockin' Queen of Happy Spirituals” enjoying popularity in the 1950s with gospel-country tunes such as Satisfied, Journey To The Sky, and Saints And Chariot. Cited by Elvis Presley as in influence on his gospel singing ~ Amburgey passed away in 2004
March 19, 1917 ~ Dillon Russell, commonly known as jazz double bassist Curley Russell, born ~ Worked with Tadd Dameron, Bud Powell, Max Roach, Sonny Stitt, Fats Navarro, Charlie Parker, Al Cohn, Art Blakey, Horace Silver, Kenny Drew, Milt Jackson, George Wallington, Coleman Hawkins, Clifford Jordan, Thelonious Monk, Stan Getz, Zoot Sims, Dexter Gordon, Johnny Griffin, and others ~ Russell passed away in 1986
March 19, 1914 ~ James Joseph Bennett, commonly known as blues shouter, saxophonist Buster Bennett, born in Pensacola, Florida, USA ~ Worked with Lester Melrose, Big Bill Broonzy, Yas Yas Girl, Monkey Joe, Washboard Sam, Jimmie Gordon, Sammy Price, Arrington Thornton, Duke Groner, Wild Bill Davis, Israel Crosby, Pee Wee Jackson, Tom Archia, and others ~ Bennett passed away in 1980
March 19, 1894 ~ Loretta Mary Aiken, comedienne, singer, commonly known as Moms Mabley, born in Brevard, North Carolina, USA ~ Although as a black woman her wages were meager, Mabley was one of the most successful entertainers of the Chitlin Circuit, a collection of venues throughout the Midwest that billed African American entertainers during the era of racial segregation. Came out as a lesbian in the early 1920s, making her one of the first openly gay comedians. Later on in her career music would become a regular part of her act, and she scored a Billboard Hot 100 top 40 in 1969 with Abraham Martin & John, originally a top 10 for Dion the previous year. The feat would make Mabley, then age 75, the oldest living singer to score a US top 40 hit. Mabley would continue to perform until shortly before her death at age 81 ~ Aiken passed away in 1975
March 19, 1873 ~ Pianist, organist, composer, conductor Max Reger, full name Johann Baptist Josepg Maximilian Reger, born in Brand, German Empire ~ Initially primarily a composer of Lieder, chamber music and choral music, later turning to orchestral compositions such as Variations And Fugue On A Theme By Mozart, Gesang Der Verklärten, and Hebbel Requiem ~ Reger passed away in 1916